Automatic window shade control



June 6, 1950 MAUCH AUTOMATIC WINDOW SHADE CONTROL Filed Aug. 27, 1946INVENTOR.

ATTD RN EYB Patented June 6, 1 950 AUTOMATIC WINDOW SHADE CONTROL FredA. Mauch, San Francisco, Calif., assigno'rpf one-half to Robert Mayne,Monterey, Cahf., and one-half to Lloyd, F. Johnson, Redwood City, Calif.

Application August 27, 1946, Serial No. 693,372

The invention relates to a window shade roller and mounting attachment,and more especially an automatic window shade control device.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter, wherein a window shade when being unwound from its roller canbe checked, so as to avoid the pulling of such shade from the roller, asis frequently done through rough handling of such shade during thelowering thereof at a window or other place of use, the device beingalso adaptable for checking the unwinding of one element from another toavoid the detachment of these from each other during the unwindingoperation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter, wherein it is inoperative for the automatic working thereofduring normal winding and unwinding periods in the handling of theshade, it being possessed of few parts, these assembled in a uniquemanner with the shade roller and its mounting, and eliminates damage tothe shade in its operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter, wherein it is not unsightly, it being practically hidden fromview and is positive in the working thereof, without interference withthe normal working of the shade, and is entirely automatic in theoperation thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthis character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable andeflicient in operation, strong, durable, readily and easily applied,compact, adaptable for all types of roller shades, and inexpensive tomanufacture and install.

With these and other objects in View the invention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention andpointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a window showing a roller shadeand its mounting with the device constructed in accordance with theinvention applied.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 1 Claim. (Cl. 293) 4--4of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an end view of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the same illustrates a portion of awindow casement generally at A, while supported relative thereto is awindow shade roller, fragmentarily shown at B, and adapted to be woundand unwound on and from the latter is a window shade, a part beingidentified at C. The roller B has its turning trunnion ID at one endremovably engaged in a hanger bracket II, as usual, which is fixed tothe easement A 'at one upper corner thereof, in the ordinary well knownmanner.

The automatic check device constituting the present invention, comprisesa substantially L- shaped stop arm l2, having a short and long branch l3and I4, respectively, the short branch l3 being 'adjustably fastened bya nut carrying bolt [5 to the bracket H and this bolt slidably fitswithin an arcuate shaped slot IS in the said bracket concentric to thetrunnion In, so that the long branch I4 will confront the shade Cparallel to its outer side and close to roller in a like parallelrelation thereto to its trunnioned end, as best seen in Figures 1 and 4of the drawing. This bolt l5 permits the arm I2 to be located in adetermined workable relation to the shade C.

Fitted within the roller B next to the bracket H is an anchoring plug I!which is inset in a radially disposed bore l8 therefor as provided inthe said roller and opening through its periphery, the plug being afitting for a hinge connection IQ for a striker blade 29, which normallyis tucked between the windings of the shade C, and is held counterseatedin the roller B by the first winding or the one closest thereto of suchshade, so that the blade cannot gravitate to striking position againstthe long branch M of the arm [2 until the shade has become completelyunwound from the roller B and possible resultant release of the saidshade at its permanent attachment to the said roller. The cooperativeaction of the blade and arm automatically checks the detachment of theshade from the roller therefor at the final unwinding period of theshade therefrom.

The shade \COIltTO]. device does not interfere with the normal windingand unwinding operation of the shade C on and from the roller B, and nodamage is caused to such shade in the working of the device, as shouldbe apparent. The blade 20 rotates with the roller B and is brought intostriking engagement with the arm l2 only when it is in the path thereof,the said blade being normally out of the path of the said am, as bestseen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing.

What is claimed is:

In a check device, the combination with a bracket adapted to be securedto a. window casement, a, roller rotatably upported by said bracket, anda window shade wound On said roller, of a stop arm operatively,connected to said bracket, said stop arm comprising .a first branchreleasably secured to said bracket, and a, second branch arranged atright angles with respect to said first branch and secured to thelatter, there being a radially-disposed bore in said roller, ananchoring plug seated in said bore, and a striker blade interposedbetween said shade and roller and hingedly connected to said anchoringplug, whereby said striker blade will swing into engagement with saidsecond branch when said shade is unwound from said roller.

FRED A. MAUCH.

REFERENCES CITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Richter July 21, 1914 Number

